Complications in Pregnancy Flashcards
what is the aetiology of miscarriages?
> unknown
abnormal conceptus (structural, genetic, chromosomal)
uterine abnormalities (fibroids, congenital)
maternal (increasing age, diabetes)
cervical incompetence
what is an incomplete miscarriage?
most of the pregnancy has been expelled but some of the material is still in the uterus
how does an incomplete miscarriage present?
> heavy bleeding
> open cervix
what is a threatened miscarriage?
a viable pregnancy but with vaginal bleeding (+/- pain) and a closed cervix
how may an inevitable miscarriage present?
> open cervix
> heavy bleeding with clots
what management may an inevitable miscarriage need?
evacuation if bleeding heavily
how does a missed miscarriage present?
no symptoms or bleeding
how is a missed miscarriage investigated?
Ultrasound
> empty gestational sac
> no foetal heart
how is a missed miscarriage managed?
> conservative
surgical
medical prostaglandins
what is a miscarriage?
termination/loss of pregnancy before 24 weeks gestation
what is a septic miscarriage?
infection secondary to miscarriage
how is a septic miscarriage managed?
> evacuation
> antibiotics
what is a complete miscarriage?
all products of conception passed
how does a complete miscarriage present?
> bleeding stopped
> cervix closed
what are some risk factors of ectopic pregnancy?
> pelvic inflammatory disease
previous ectopic
previous tubal surgery
assisted conception
what is an ectopic pregnancy?
pregnancy implanted outside the uterine cavity
how does an ectopic pregnancy present?
> amenorrhea (+ve test)
vaginal bleeding
abdominal pain
GI/urinary symptoms
how is an ectopic pregnancy investigated?
> scan (no in-uterine gestational sac, adnexal masses, fluid in pouch of douglas)
serum BHCG levels over 24 hours
serum progesterone levels (25mg/ml is viable pregnancy)
what is the management if ectopic pregnancy?
> methotrexate
> surgical salpingectomy or salpingotomy
what is antepartum haemorrhage?
haemorrhage from the genital tract after week 24 but before delivery
what local lesions can cause antepartum haemorrhage?
> erosions
polyps
cancer
what is vasa praevia?
rupture of the foetal vessels causing antepartum haemorrhage
what is placenta praevia?
all or some of the placenta implants in the lower part of the uterus
what are some causes of antepartum haemorrhage?
> local lesions
vasa praevia
placenta praevia
placental abruption
what are the risk factors for placenta praevia?
> multiparous women
multiple pregnancies
previous c-section
what are the classifications of placenta praevia?
- placenta encroaching on the lower segment. not in int. cervical os
- placental reaches internal cervical os
- placenta eccentrically covers the os
- central placenta praevia
how does placenta praevia present?
> PAINLESS PV BLEEDING
malpresentation of the foetus
soft non-tender uterus
how do you diagnose placenta praevia?
> ultrasound scan